Calvary Chapel South Bay Women s Ministry This Homework Belongs To: Phone Number Phone /Number E-mail Address My Group Leader is: Group Number
Lesson 1 Overview 2 Corinthians The purpose of this study is to teach you to read the Word and to have God speak to you personally. When that happens, your answers will naturally come from your heart. Therefore, do not use a commentary because it is what God has spoken to someone else's heart. Use the King James Version or the New King James Version of the Bible to find your answers. Other versions of the Bible will also help you better understand what is being said, especially the Amplified Version. A good question to ask yourself as you begin this week's lesson is What will the Lord speak to my heart through the study of His Word today? Start with a prayer asking the Lord to open your understanding and speak to your heart. Memory Scripture Speak, Lord, in the stillness while I wait on Thee. Hush my heart to listen in expectancy. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:2 Commentary We have chosen to study the Book of 2 Corinthians this year simply because it is amazingly relevant to our lives today. Paul founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey and ministered there a year and a half. Even though the Corinthian believers lived among a very spiritually bankrupt culture, Paul diligently taught and exhorted them to live lives that would please God. 2 Corinthians is a letter that is intensely personal and filled with the deep emotions of this dedicated apostle. He wanted his spiritual children to see his love and concern for them and for the work of the Lord. He wanted them to see that they were Precious in the Eyes of God and, because of this, to rise above their personal circumstances and live the victorious Christian life. We too, live in a culture that has declined both morally and spiritually. Like the Corinthian believers we face many hardships and painful sufferings. Well, Paul's message is no less relevant for us today! Just like the Corinthians we must learn to keep our eyes on God regardless of what we are going through. May you be encouraged week after week as you study this incredible letter and may you gain much strength so that you too might live a life that pleases God! Homework Questions: 1. Group Member Introduction: a. What is your name? b. Are you married or single? c. Do you have children? If so, how many and what are their ages? d. How long have you attended Calvary Chapel South Bay? e. Share one thing of interest about yourself (hobby, class, recreation, family, etc.) Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
2. Each chapter contains verses that have blessed, encouraged, and instructed Christians for generations. You will gain knowledge of God, of Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit through the study of this book. You will discover principles and guidelines for relationships, the foolishness of comparing ourselves with others, answers to questions about suffering, fresh insight into forgiveness, keys for growth into Christlikeness, and the right kind of weapons for our spiritual warfare. It also deals with one of the hottest issues of today - life after death. Which of the above subjects are you eager to know more about and why? 3. Read 2 Corinthians 13:11 below and notice how Paul sums up the Book of 2 Corinthians. Write out what this verse means to you. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (KJV) Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you. (AMP) 4. Now re-read 2 Corinthians 13:11 and find the promise that is given to you. Explain what it means to you today. Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching that spoke to your heart and why. In acceptance lieth peace Amy Carmichael
Lesson 2 God's Comfort - Our Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 This week you will find encouragement regarding God's comfort available to you no matter what you face in life. You will also learn that the comfort you receive will help you in ministering to others. God is a God of comfort and He will comfort you in order that you may comfort others. As you begin your homework, a good question to ask yourself is: What will the Lord speak to my heart through the study of His Word today? Start with a prayer asking the Lord to open your understanding and speak to your heart. As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13 Commentary: Paul found genuine comfort in God. You will, too. As you go through times of trials and suffering you will find, like Paul, that God is a God of comfort. The word comfort or encouragement is used ten times in the verses we are looking at this week. The word literally means to call to one's side. No place is our faith more tested than when we are going through difficult times. This is an area that Satan easily gains a foothold in if we do not allow God to come by our side and comfort us. Think on this: Do I reflect God's loving care for me to the world when I'm going through trials, pain, or heartaches? Often our suffering causes us to be self-focused instead of becoming a channel of comfort to others. The comfort that we receive from God is not only for our personal relief, it is shared with us so that we might be able to help others. As we go through things in life God is preparing us to minister to those who are hurting. What a waste it would be to learn about God's comfort from these verses and then not rely on that same comfort in the stormy times. Are you going through a difficult time right now? Reach out and receive God's comfort. Then get ready to assure others that God will be faithful to them too. Memory Scripture: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Homework Questions: 1. Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-4. List what the Word says about God. Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
2. Often suffering causes us to be self-focused. In verses 4-7 we not only have the privilege of being comforted, but we're given a responsibility. What is it? 3. The comfort we receive from God is far beyond human sympathy. His comfort fills us with strength and courage to cope. How would you describe God's comfort? 4. No place is our faith more tested than when we are going through afflictions, physical challenges, sickness, family crisis, broken or strained relationships, or any other kind of suffering. But this testing brings forth qualities of character. From verses 5-7 what are some of these qualities? 5. How has the study of 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 affected your understanding of God's comfort? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: From tonight's teaching, share one thing that spoke to your heart and why. The veil of the self-life is an effective block to spiritual progress.
Lesson 3 The Woman of Influence 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 This week you'll be encouraged to know that you have a powerful influence on the world around you. You are the fragrance of Christ and others notice you! No matter how insignificant you might feel or how inadequate, you will come to understand that these feelings do not matter because your sufficiency is in Christ! A good question to ask yourself this week is: What will the Lord speak to my heart through the study of His Word today? Start with a prayer asking the Lord to open your understanding and speak to your heart. Jesus, fill me with Your sweetness, Set my heart on fire with You. Let my life now be, a sweet fragrance of Thee that rises high before my King. Search my heart and soul, and as You take control, make my life an offering. Pat Schorr Commentary: Paul makes an incredible statement about believers in the portion of scripture we will study this week. He declares that we are the sweet fragrance of Christ. That statement is a little difficult for us to understand today, but in Paul's day this brought about a very familiar picture. Whenever a victorious general and his soldiers returned home from battle, they were given a public parade. The parade was filled with a lot of pomp and glory, and a great deal of incense was burned in honor of the heroes. Behind the soldiers were the men who had been taken captive. To the victors the smell of incense was an aroma of life and joy, but to the captives doomed to execution, it was the scent of death. Well, in the same manner, Jesus is the Victor because of His death on the cross; and we are the incense, or the sweet savor of Christ. To other believers this savor or perfume means life but to the unbeliever it means death. Paul's description is a beautiful and challenging picture. For who is sufficient to march behind Jesus, to carry the fragrance of Him, to be used by Him? The answer - none but His children. Because He alone is your sufficiency you can be a woman of great influence! Memory Scripture: Homework Questions: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:2 1. Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and find the word that is repeated. Often times when a word is repeated over and over in a portion of Scripture we are to take notice of it. Find this word and define it by using other versions of the Bible. Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
2. When a woman wears a beautiful perfume people naturally ask her What's that perfume you're wearing? The same is true for our spiritual lives. From verse 14 what fragrance or sweet savour does the woman of influence wear that is spread to all she comes in contact with? Explain what you think this means. 3. We are the fragrance of Christ in this world. This is a statement we should give much thought to. Are you aware on a daily basis that you are the aroma of Christ wherever you go? The source of this fragrance is Christ and our ability to be this sweet-smelling savor comes from God. What things can hinder the release of His fragrance through us? Name as many as you can think of. 4. Another translation words 2 Corinthians 2:15a in this way, We are indeed the incense offered by Christ to God. Incense was a fragrance used in the tabernacle and the temple. Incense must be burned to release its fragrance. Share an insight on this as it pertains to our being the fragrance of Christ. 5. Recognize that you are the fragrance of Christ in this world. If someone were to name a perfume after you, by what fragrance would you like to be known? (it's ok to make up your own signature scent!) Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: From tonight's teaching, share one thing that spoke to your heart and why. Like a watered garden full of fragrance rare, Lingering in Thy presence let my life appear. E.M. Grimes
Lesson 4 Our Sufficiency Is Of God 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 This week you will find encouragement regarding your sufficiency that is in God. It is God and God alone who will always supply you with the competence or ability to do whatever He requires. What joy will fill your heart as you remember that He is sufficient for all your spiritual needs, material needs and physical needs! A good question to ask yourself this week is: What will the Lord speak to my heart through the study of His Word today? Start with a prayer asking the Lord to open your understanding and speak to you heart. He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream, He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be! Nolon & Ferguson Commentary: The phrase written in our hearts from 2 Corinthians 3:2 is not a sentimental expression. It means there was a confirmation in Paul's heart of the validity of his ministry because of the Corinthians' changed lives. The Corinthian Christians' lifestyle stood out in sharp contrast to the immoral, pagan, greedy, wicked, secular culture of Corinth. Their life gave ample evidence of divine transformation both to Paul and to the world. They did not boast in who or what they had done, but rather boldly declared that their sufficiency was from God. The word for sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5) comes from a Greek word that means to make a person qualified or fit. Nothing but the power of God could have worked such a change in the lives of the Corinthian believers. Nothing but the power of God can change us and make us fit for His work on earth. When we are born again, God makes us fit for His work. He then continues to equip us for whatever He calls us to do for the rest of our earthly life. Memory Scripture: For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 Homework Questions: 1. Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-6. This week's lesson reveals the Christian as a living letter from Christ to the world. Let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what this means and write it below. Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
2. Explain briefly the difference to you between God's Law being written on tables of stone and God's Law written by the Holy Spirit in your mind and on your heart. 3. If we are going to be an accurate letter of Christ to the world then we must come to understand and accept that Christ is our sufficiency! In other words, we don't do things in our own ability or strength; rather we rely on Christ to give us all that we need to accomplish His will. How does knowing this free you to joyfully serve the Lord? 4. Now re-read 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 and answer the questions below. a. What do you learn about God from these verses? b. What do you learn about Jesus from these verses? 5. From the portion of Scripture that you studied this week what did you learn about yourself? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: From tonight's teaching, share one thing that spoke to your heart and why. You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day, By the deeds that you do and the words that you say, Men read what you write, whether faithful or true. Just what is the Gospel according to you? Wiersbe